Consultations on parental leave and flexible working

Posted: 28th February 2013

Two consultation documents have been published that relate to more flexible working practices

First, the Government is seeking opinions on how its proposed shared parental leave reforms should work in practice. The closing date for submissions is 17 May 2013.The more flexible parental leave arrangements are to be implemented in 2015.

The second consultation, published by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), is on a draft code of practice for businesses on how to manage requests for flexible working. The Government plans to extend this right to all employees from 2014. Currently, it applies only to those who are parents of children aged 16 and under (under 18 where the child is disabled) and employees who care for, or expect to care for, certain adults.

The current statutory procedure for considering requests for flexible working will be removed. Instead, employers will have a duty to consider all requests in a reasonable manner.

The consultation can be found on the ACAS website. The consultation closes on 20 May 2013.